Blog Articles

Struggling with mask acne? Here’s what to do!

Wednesday, October 20th, 2021

Summer is inching closer, but for some of us the combination of warmer weather, frequent mask wearing and all-round increased stress levels due to lockdowns is bringing about the unwelcome symptoms of mask acne (aka ‘maskne’). And unfortunately it’s only going to get worse as the humidity of summer sets in.

Making some conscious changes to your habits and skincare routine will help to prevent breakouts and flare-ups and restore the all-important balance to your skin microbiome. Read on for our top tips to beat the dreaded maskne.

Five tips for combatting mask acne

1. Opt for a paper mask

We prefer paper or surgical masks as they are generally more breathable (and effective) than fabric ones. With better flow of oxygen, you’re less likely to sweat and create a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria inside your mask. Paper masks are also easy to clean and sanitize – more on this below.

2. Sanitize your mask in the sun

UV light has the power to zap the molecular bonds that hold together the DNA of viruses and bacteria. With summer on its way, this is good news! So when it’s not essential to be wearing your mask, lay it flat in direct sunlight for 15 minutes or more and let the UV light destroy any nasties that might have settled in the fibres. Scientists use this trick when working in the lab – they place their masks under UV lamps and let the UV light sterilize them. If using fabric masks, make sure to wash them frequently in a mild detergent.

3. Up your daily skincare routine

This is a good time to wear less make-up and add some extra nourishment to your skin. We recommend using a gentle cleanser morning and night to de-clog pores and remove toxins and impurities, followed by a revitalizing toner to balance the skin’s microflora and prep it for moisturizer. If your skin is feeling extra dry or lack-lustre, try a face oil under your face mask, or if you’re struggling with breakouts, apply a targeted serum like our Acne Prone Skin Cream underneath your moisturizer or night cream.

4. Get outside and get moving

Stress levels are sky-high right now, which is only serving to exacerbate skin concerns. Stress stimulates the production of androgen hormones, which make the oil glands and hair follicles in the skin overproduce, leading to oiliness, acne and irritation. Regular exercise and fresh air (safely, and within the current COVID restrictions) will do wonders for your stress levels and well-being. Pop on your mask, walk out your stress and let your skin reap the benefits.

5. Support your immune system

Quality sleep is absolute bliss AND it’s vital for strengthening your immune system – so grab a glass of water and get to bed on time. You can also support your immune system by reducing your toxic load. Go easy on processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, and refined sugars and load up on gut-loving goodies like yoghurt, kefir, almonds, bone broth, ginger and kimchi.

Why you’ll never find the #dirtydozen in Atopis skincare

Tuesday, October 5th, 2021

We believe that improving the condition of your skin should never come at a cost to your health, your immune system – or the environment. In fact, we have clinically proven that our 100% natural and toxin-free hero ingredient Myrecil® actually outperforms its synthetic counterparts while working in synergy with your unique immune system to improve your skin at the very deepest layers.

A 2018 US study released by the David Suzuki Foundation found that “one in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, and hormone disruptors. Many products include plasticizers (chemicals that keep concrete soft), degreasers (used to get grime off auto parts), and surfactants (they reduce surface tension in water, like in paint and inks).”

Sound gross? And unnecessary? Yup, we agree! Subsequently, a #dirtydozen list was developed to make consumers aware of the potential effects of some toxic ingredients on the body and endocrine system. This is not our list but one that has been researched and compiled over many years.

For many years prior to founding Atopis, Dr Weir and her team tested dietary supplement and skincare ingredients for efficacy and safety. She identified through her research that a number of commonly used ingredients such as parabens caused oxidative stress, or worse, DNA and mitochondria damage, resulting in cell mutations. She was shocked to learn that many cosmetics and creams were full of these harmful ingredients.

That’s why when she developed Atopis, Dr Weir chose to avoid synthetics, parabens and other nasties altogether (including the #dirtydozen). Using nature and biotechnology in synergy, she did this without compromising performance!

At Atopis, we don’t use palm-oil based ingredients or animal-derived ingredients, and for any ingredients we can’t make ourselves, we ‘fair trade’ source them to ensure they are both ethical and sustainable ingredients. For some ingredients, we pay more than four times the price to source the vegan alternative.

Using our own cutting-edge science and biotechnology we’ve created over 13 all-natural, safe skincare products that are good enough to eat (yes, really) and that also do what they say they will: rebalance the skin microbiome, restore the skin’s lipid barrier and renew your gorgeous, youthful glow. Possessing a deep scientific understanding of how to manipulate and harness the bioactive properties of plant extracts with biotechnology means that we can continue to create new products that achieve incredible skin results with not a single one of the #dirtydozen in sight.

Below we’ve compiled a list of the nasties that you WON’T find in Atopis (the #dirtydozen plus a few extras), along with a list of some of the GOODNESS by category that you will find in there.

The ceramides secret

Sunday, July 25th, 2021

Have you ever wondered why babies have that perfectly soft, gorgeous skin? It’s a result of the naturally occurring waxy biofilm called vernix that covers their skin in the last trimester. It’s the rich fatty acids contained within ceramides in vernix that make it oh so amazing.

Ceramides form the structure or ‘scaffolding’ of our skin and give it moisture and softness. Over time, and with repeated sun exposure, we naturally lose ceramides in our skin, and this in turn leads to loss of firmness and suppleness. Thankfully, we can boost our natural ceramide levels and increase skin moisture content through our skincare.

Below we’ve shared more on why your skin loves and needs ceramides.

Firm, supple skin at any age or stage

Ceramides are a key player in the makeup of our skin. Along with hyaluronic acid and collagen, they form our skin’s 3D matrix. In fact, ceramides actually make up to 50% of the skin’s composition, forming the natural skin barrier. Clearly a vital component!

Atopis’ new night creams contain the highest quality ceramides available, the same quality as other popular, high-end ceramide ‘capsules’ on the market. But instead of encapsulating our ceramides artificially, we use nature and our unique technology to incorporate and protect the ceramides directly within our night creams.

Our patented cellular delivery tech uses sphingolipids, which essentially protect the ceramides and help them to penetrate the lipid membrane to work optimally at a cellular level. Put simply, our wonder-working ceramides are able to be absorbed deeply into your skin for maximum benefit, leaving you with deliciously (and noticeably) softer, plumper skin.

Here are just a few reasons why your skin loves ceramides:

✓ Intensely hydrating, leaving skin feeling soft and supple.

✓ Boost your skin’s natural ceramide levels, which naturally deplete with age and sun damage.

✓ Absorb deeply into the skin to affect change at a cellular level.

✓ Restore your skin’s firmness and elasticity.

✓ Support a healthy skin barrier, to protect against environmental stresses.

✓ 100% cruelty-free – a no-brainer!

Get the best results from your Atopis night cream

Monday, July 12th, 2021

All the ingredients your skin needs for youth-restoring repair and ultimate cell renewal are contained in our new Atopis night creams, along with the big anti-ageing heroes your skin craves, including Vitamin C, ceramides, retinol and our patented superstar ingredient, Myrecil®.

Below are some tips on how to get the best results from your Atopis night cream and your evening skincare regimen.

1. Choose the right night cream for your skin

Atopis Radiant Balance Night Cream is scientifically developed for younger skin (20s onwards) and is especially efficacious for skin that’s prone to rosacea or acne flare-ups.

Atopis Intensive Restore Night Cream is perfect for more mature or dry skin that needs a deeper dose of plumping power, hydration and cellular rejuvenation.

2. Use just a small amount each time

These creams are mega concentrated so a little goes a long way.

For best results: Cleanse skin with Atopis Thoroughly Gentle Cleanser then apply Revitalizing Toner and wait a few moments for it to soak into your skin. Then apply a small amount of Atopis Night Cream to your face, neck and décolletage.

Tip: For an extra nourishment boost, you can also apply 1-2 drops of Rosehip Renewal Face Oil before you apply your night cream.

3. Pair it with your Atopis day cream

Atopis night creams are designed to work in synergy with other Atopis creams, in particular our day creams. We’ve created some NEW skincare bundles: Radiance Duo and Intensive Duo to help you achieve the skin results you’re looking for – and SAVE (20% off) on skincare.

4. Only use night creams at night-time

Atopis night creams are formulated with potent active ingredients that do their best work while you sleep and while your body is in repair-mode. Using them during the day-time will make your skin sun sensitive and the UV exposure will degrade the cream’s active ingredients. You may also find your makeup smudges with night cream underneath it.

5. Try a skin-plumping eye cream

The skin around your eyes is thinner than most other parts of your complexion and therefore it becomes dehydrated much quicker. Smile lines and crow’s feet are more noticeable when your skin’s not adequately hydrated. If you find your eye area is particularly dry (or showing a lot of fine lines), pair your night cream with a small dot of Atopis Intensive Renewal Eye Cream around the eye contour area.

6. Wear a SPF50+ sunscreen – even on cloudy days!

UV exposure is one of the biggest contributors to skin ageing and hyper-pigmentation, so applying a high protection SPF sunscreen daily to face and neck daily is absolutely essential. Atopis night creams work hard to offset damage caused by sun exposure (including historical sun damage), but the best protection and prevention is keeping your face away from the damaging UV rays.

Ten ways to avoid triggering your eczema

Monday, July 5th, 2021

While the causes of eczema are varied and often complex, a good starting point in managing your own, or your infant or child’s eczema, is being aware of some common environmental culprits and avoiding things that can trigger an immune system response.

Below we’ve shared some tips on how to avoid common household eczema triggers – and how to gain lasting skin relief with Atopis Dry Itchy Relief Cream.

Ten ways to avoid triggering your eczema

Eczema is an incredibly common skin concern that affects as many as 20% of New Zealand children and a large number of Kiwi adults as well.

There are seven acknowledged types of eczema and all cause varying degrees of skin discomfort including itching, dryness, and redness.

While the exact causes of eczema are unknown, there are some common lifestyle and dietary factors that can trigger irritation or aggravate your symptoms. Here we’ve outlined some tips to avoid eczema triggers:

1. Stick to gentle, fragrance-free products – both for your skin and your home. Eco products tend to be gentler and are also better for the environment, win!

2. Reduce stress by getting plenty of sleep, as well as incorporating practises such as mindfulness, deep breathing, and kindness. Stress is a major player in skin issues so addressing this one is key.

3. Stay hydrated to ensure your skin barrier is not weakened.

4. Speak to a health professional who can guide you on how to balance your hormones if you think they could be a factor.

5. Sleep in natural fibres such as cotton or linen – this avoids sweating, causing irritation. Heated blankets should also be avoided.

6. Consider investing in a humidifier (for overly dry conditions) or dehumidifier (for overly humid conditions) this can help to create the ideal environment for your skin.

7. Ensure your house is well ventilated – make sure there is plenty of air-flow to keep the environment cool.

8. Immediately treat any mould in your environment and keep on top of the dusting.

9. Vacuum regularly – this cleans up any pet hair and reduces the chance of allergens lingering in your home.

10. Always use natural cleaning sprays and products. Removal of the good bacteria by overcleaning and using anti-bacterial sprays in your home will result in a build-up of allergens and potentially bad bacteria.

Why toner is a must in your skincare routine

Thursday, July 1st, 2021

When it comes to healthy, balanced and glowing skin, facial toner is an important part of your skincare ritual – though it’s an easy step to overlook if you’re not entirely sure how it works, or how to use it.

Below we’ve shared a little more on why, when and how to use Atopis Revitalizing Toner for bright, balanced and energised skin. It truly will make a difference to your skin!

Balance, hydration and protection!

One of the things that makes Atopis Revitalizing Toner so unique is that it’s a toner + serum in one. This seriously hard-worker gently cleanses away excess oil, grime and impurities, closes and tightens pores, restores your skin’s pH balance (without stripping skin), boosts skin hydration and freshness, all while restoring a protective lipid barrier to protect your delicate skin cells from environmental and oxidative stress.

Atopis Revitalizing Toner:

✓ Calms and diffuses redness and protects skin.
✓ Balances the skin’s microflora with prebiotic and probiotics.
✓ Preps skin to help moisturizer and face oils soak in.
✓ Works in synergy with Atopis face creams.

What’s in it?

A synergistic fusion of nourishing ingredients including: skin-plumping gold kiwifruit bioactive; intensely hydrating hyaluronic acid; astringent witch hazel to help tighten pores; hydrating watermelon for thirsty skin; potent antibacterial Manuka and healing Harakeke gel infused into soothing aloe vera hydrosol to prepare and protect your skin.

Which skin types does it suit?

Our toner is scientifically developed for sensitive skin types, making it perfect for rosacea, eczema and acne-prone skin. It also works beautifully on mature skin!

How to use it: (for best results!)

1. After cleansing with Atopis Thoroughly Gentle Cleanser spritz 1-2 pumps of Revitalizing Toner directly onto your face (or onto a cotton pad first, if you prefer), then pat it gently into your skin. Use morning & evening.

2. In the morning: apply Radiant Balance Day Cream or Intensive Restore Day Cream to skin, followed by your SPF50+ sunscreen.

3. In the evening: After toner, apply Rosehip Renewal Face Oil and/or Radiant Balance Night Cream or Intensive Restore Night Cream – and wake up with the Atopis glow!

Winter wellness for your skin

Monday, June 21st, 2021

Well, there’s no denying it, winter is officially here (in the Southern Hemisphere, at least)! When it comes to our skin, the change of season can dramatically impact its look and feel. Even your skin’s complex microbiome changes with the seasons.

Hydration is a big one to address in winter. Our skin’s exposure to heating along with the lower levels of humidity in the air can create dryness, accentuating any existing wrinkles. Redness (especially in rosacea-prone skin) can also be a common skin issue in the winter months.

With our bodies asking for a little extra nourishment and care in winter, our skin is no exception. Even the simple act of drinking more water will do wonders for hydrating, firming, and plumping your skin – your whole body will thank you for it. Making some conscious changes to your daily routine, including your skincare, will have you glowing in no time.

Read on for our top 5 tips for hydrated winter skin!

Get those Omega 3s in

These bad boys are found in foods such as flaxseeds, salmon and chia seeds (or you can take them as supplements). They help to regulate the production of oil in your skin, balance hydration, calm breakouts and minimise signs of ageing. What’s more, they also help to soften rough, dry skin and soothe irritation and dermatitis.

Water, water, water

It’s easy to forget to drink water in the cooler months but keeping your water intake up is vital to the wellbeing of your whole body, and makes a huge difference to the health and appearance of your skin. Carrying a drink bottle with you is a great way to make sure you’re always topping up!

Boost your skincare regime

Adding in some extra nourishment with Atopis Intensive Restore Night Cream will help to restore and rejuvenate your winter skin, as you sleep! Another parched-skin hero is the Atopis Dry Itchy Skin Relief Cream which contains Myrecil® – scientifically shown to restore the skin’s natural microbiome to a balanced state – reducing skin sensitivity, inhibiting bad bacteria and promoting the good, beneficial bacteria. Atopis Dry Itchy Skin Relief Cream is also a winner for dry hands – especially those that are regularly doused in hand sanitizer! If skin redness or rosacea is a problem for you, then Atopis Radiant Balance Day Cream is your skin’s saviour.

Go to bed early

Getting quality, restorative sleep is arguably the most important step in your beauty routine. In winter, our bodies need more sleep (at least eight hours per night, but the more the better)! While you sleep your skin cells regenerate and your body increases blood flow to your skin, delivering the nutrients it needs to recover from a day of exposure to the elements. The coveted protein, collagen – which helps your skin keep its volume and elasticity – is also produced while you sleep.

Detox your diet

The condition of your skin is often your body’s way of telling us what’s going on at a deeper level. We all know that what we put into our bodies is super important. Cutting down our toxic load by limiting processed foods, alcohol, caffeine and refined sugars will help give our skin the best chance to be its happiest, most radiant self. Somebody pass the celery juice!

Why do we call Atopis ‘nature’s scientific skincare’?: Dr Weir explains

Monday, June 21st, 2021

I use nature’s own incredible biochemical processes – and my research into the differences in plant and human apoptosis (programmed cell death) and immunology pathways – to create our multi-faceted botanical ferment Myrecil®, the foundational ingredient of our high-performance Atopis skin creams.

We don’t use diluted plant extracts or traditional extraction methods.

Traditional methods for creating plant extracts are ineffective and either use: solvents to pull out the desired component of the plant extract (for example the flavonoids); a process called ‘supercritical fractionation’ to separate out the desired component (for example astaxanthin – a carotenoid that protects cells from free radical damage); or glycerin to soak the extracts.

Instead, I went back to nature to create a ‘synergistic heterogeneous botanical bioactive’. Let me explain:

A unique feedback loop

Plants, bacteria and insects signal to each other using peptides (amino acids) and proteins. The bacteria in your gut produce proteins which are detected by micro receptors on your gut wall and turn on different functions in response. The bacteria have identical receptors and these are also activated by the food that you eat. So they all work in a feedback loop with each other. Your skin cells work in the same way!

Within nanoseconds of being activated, plants can turn on different biochemical pathways in
response to environmental factors such as UV light or toxins. My area of scientific expertise is in producing plant stem cells by activating pathways for totipotency – as in, turning a normal leaf cell back into an embryonic cell after it’s damaged.

This is what we do with Myrecil® – we activate the plant stem cells pathways to produce compounds that promote skin cell renewal and regeneration.

We ferment our plant extracts to enhance their bioactivity.

I invented a novel fermentation technology, which is used to synergistically fuse Myrecil® into Atopis skin cream bases with other plant extracts, without the use of excess heat, preservatives or radiation. This is a crucial step in retaining the natural integrity and power of Myrecil® and the other plant extracts in our skincare.

During the fermentation process, the plant and microbial enzymes create isomers (changed molecular structure) of the plant flavonoids and peptides which are then conjugated (bound) to lipids for enhanced bioactivity and bioavailability into the skin.

Myrecil® is truly unlike any other skin ingredient on the market – it uses the science of nature to create novel molecules naturally! Try our skin-changing creams for yourself!

We take sustainability seriously!

Wednesday, June 16th, 2021

Over the past 30 years, Atopis founder and CEO Dr Iona Weir has worked as a scientist on a number of exciting conservation and sustainability initiatives, including the development of sustainable packaging solutions, and the remediation of toxic mining sites across various Oceanic countries. She’s also visited palm oil plantations in Indonesia and seen firsthand the environmental impact of palm oil production – which is why you’ll never find palm oil in our products!

Sustainability is a deep value of Atopis, and it’s inherent in all that we do. As a natural scientific-based skincare company we have a huge responsibility to protect and treasure our natural environment and to preserve it for our kids – and their kids.

Below we’ve shared some of the steps we’re taking to ensure the integrity of our skincare ingredients, and the sustainability of our business practices.

1. Sustainable packaging solutions

Our skincare tubes are made from 100% sugarcane plastic – a renewable, recyclable and carbon-free source. Sugarcane actually absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere like trees do, making it a much earth-friendlier alternative to fossil fuel-based polymers.

We’re also in the process of carrying out our own ‘in-house’ testing of recycled plastic packaging, and we plan to increase our use of recycled plastics once we’re certain that they meet our high standards of stability.

We use biodegradable courier bags that you can compost at home. Here’s a handy tip: simply put your courier bags in the sun to speed up the composting process.

Last but not least, we’ve strengthened the materials used to manufacture our beautiful skincare boxes so we don’t need to use as many when we’re sending out products to you!

2. Pure botanicals tracked to their source

We use only the highest quality natural ingredients – many of which are native to New Zealand and sourced locally on our back-door step (literally). Every ingredient that goes into Atopis skincare is grown sustainably and we work in partnership with local iwi (Māori) to ensure we protect our biologically unique native plant-life. We also use a special collection process that ensures there’s no wastage.

3. 100% natural and toxin-free – zero nasties!

When we say we’re natural, we really mean it. Atopis products are free from parabens, fillers, solvents, fragrance, silicone, SLS or synthetic chemicals that could harm your health or your skin. Because we have to meet stringent OTC (over-the-counter) FDA registrations in the USA, you can be sure (and have peace of mind) that every single ingredient meets these very high regulatory standards.

4. 100% cruelty-free skincare

We never, ever test on animals! Instead we use incredible, high-tech, 3D skin cell culture fluorescent imaging – which allows us to grow living skin in the lab and observe cellular changes – to test our Myrecil® technology and perfect our products before they reach your skin. For any ingredients that we source externally, we undertake rigorous research to make sure they meet our exacting cruelty-free standards!

Your skin loves Vitamin C!

Monday, June 14th, 2021

With its super-charged antioxidant and collagen synthesis powers, Vitamin C really is a natural wonder-worker when it comes to your skin. It deeply hydrates, brightens and enhances skin texture – and perhaps most importantly, it addresses the visible effects of too much UV exposure (think pigmentation, dark spots and fine lines) and strengthens your skin’s natural defence mechanism by neutralizing free radicals.

In the notes below, we shared more on why we love Vitamin C – and why healthy, balanced, glowing skin does too!

Brighter, happier skin with Vitamin C!

Vitamin C is one of the superstar multi-actives in Atopis’ patented botanical ferment Myrecil®, which is contained in most Atopis creams. It’s also one of the skin-brightening staples in our new Atopis Radiant Balance Night Cream and Atopis Intensive Restore Night Cream.

Vitamin C comes in many different structural forms; the form that helps to erase those sun spots and reduce pigmentation is an unstable form. Atopis night creams contain this form of Vitamin C (the purest form there is!), so to protect its potency and to keep it stable until it comes in contact with your skin, we have used our novel technology to micro-encapsulate it into a liposome. This enhances its penetration into the skin cells and also enables us to combine it with the creams’ other active ingredients for powerful skin change.

With its powerful antioxidant properties, Vitamin C works with your skin’s natural biology to:

✓ Reverse skin cell damage by promoting collagen synthesis

✓ Lighten age spots and pigmentation caused by sun damage

✓ Replenish vital sources of Vitamin E – an important antioxidant

✓ Protect skin from oxidative stress (free-radical damage)

✓ Visibly improve skin elasticity and suppleness

✓ Hydrate and brighten skin for enhanced radiance!

Atopis’ unique approach to adding Vitamin C to our skincare protects the active ingredients from oxidation and light to maintain its integrity and allow it to absorb deeply into your skin cells in its purest, most effective form.

Go on – treat your skin to the ultra-brightening and protective benefits of nature’s gold, Vitamin C!

What makes our night creams unique?

Thursday, June 10th, 2021

One of the key things that makes our Radiant Balance Night Cream and Intensive Restore Night Cream so unique is that we’ve rolled all the big anti-ageing ingredients your skin could possibly need into one high performing night cream (most night creams have just one or two hero ingredients!).

This required some high-tech science and innovation using natural ingredients – we explain it in more detail below!

Cellular-level skin renewal

We’ve developed and patented our own cellular (micellar) delivery technology, which wraps around the hero ingredients in the creams, protects them and carries them through your skin’s barrier to nourish and rejuvenate the skin cells deep below. Forget layering up your serums and night creams – this science allows all the big anti-ageing ingredients (think ceramides, Vitamin C, Myrecil® and hyaluronic acid) to be put together in one cream, repairing skin at the cellular level with incredible efficacy.

Synergistic, patented ingredients

When we sleep, our bodies get to work doing the grunt work of restoring, repairing and rejuvenating. That goes for our skin too. Atopis night creams contain Myrecil®, our patented botanical ferment that works in synergy with your immune system to slow skin ageing, boost hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, and rebalance your skin’s microbiome – all while you sleep!

The power of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a star player when it comes to skin regeneration and it’s especially powerful for correcting pigmentation and sun damage. Our night creams utilise the power of the purest, highest grade of Vitamin C there is, and we add it to our creams using a unique method, developed by Dr Weir, that protects the Vitamin C from oxidation. This means it reaches your skin cells in its pure form for a vibrant boost of antioxidant power.

Pure, potent extracts

Atopis night creams are 100% natural and plant-based – but they’re anything but simple formulations. We create our own powerful plant bioactive extracts (sourced by us from New Zealand forests) using incredible patented technology that delivers pure flavonoids. This is a far cry from traditional extraction methods and ensures the plant extracts are as pure and potent as they can be, delivering maximum benefits to your skin.

Day creams vs night creams: What’s the difference?

Thursday, June 10th, 2021

Unsure what the difference is between the moisturiser you apply in the morning and the one you slather on before bed – and whether or not you really need both? We’re here to help! Below we’ve unpacked some of the key differences between the purpose, texture and ingredients in day creams and night creams, and how to use both for plump, glowing and radiant skin!

Protection vs Repair

Day creams create a line of defence against environmental culprits like UV light, blue light, pollution, cold, wind and bacteria, and they help to rebalance the skin’s microbiome to keep skin clear and healthy. Night creams contain ingredients that do their best work while you sleep, helping to reverse skin damage and regenerate vital supplies of collagen and hyaluronic acid in the skin’s epidermis. The antioxidant-rich ingredients in night creams help to neutralise those cheeky free radicals that contribute to skin cell damage and ageing, and they help to hydrate and brighten skin.

Creamy vs Gel-like

Since we don’t usually wear makeup while we sleep, night creams can be thicker and heavier in texture than their silkier daytime counterparts. Atopis Night Creams contains algal sphingolipids (the gel from seaweed) which gives them a delicate gel-like consistency, and most importantly, allows for the ingredients to be absorbed deeply into the repair-centre of your skin cells for serious cell renewal.

The Retinoid factor

Retinoids boost hyaluronic in the skin cells (giving skin support and plumpness), however, they have a tendency to make skin sensitive to sun – which means they’re not ideal for daytime wear. We’ve found a way around that though! Atopis day creams contain Myrecil®, which delivers all the benefits of retinoids, but without the nasty drawbacks. Since there’s no concern about sun exposure while you’re asleep, our night creams contain pure, high-quality retinol paired synergistically with Myrecil®, giving you all the skin-plumping power but without the side effects.

Your night cream questions answered

Wednesday, June 9th, 2021

Our hard-working all-in-one night creams have been flying off the shelves and we’re loving all your feedback and questions.

From start to finish, these products have been scientifically designed, developed and tested to deeply repair, nourish, plump and firm your skin, restoring that youthful skin radiance you dream of.

If you’ve already purchased a night cream, or you’re thinking of trying one for the first time, have a read over our Frequently Asked Questions below to make sure you get the best results for your skin!

Q: Can I use my Atopis night cream during the day as well?
A: No. Atopis night creams are formulated with potent active ingredients that do their best work while you sleep and while your body is in repair-mode. Using them during the day-time will make your skin sun sensitive and the UV exposure will degrade the cream’s active ingredients. You may also find your makeup smudges with night cream underneath it.

Q: Which cream should I use?
A: If you’re using Atopis Radiant Balance cream during the day, then use Radiant Balance Night Cream at night, and follow the same principle with the Intensive Restore range. Radiant Balance is designed for younger skin (20s onwards) and is especially efficacious for skin that’s prone to rosacea or acne flare-ups. Atopis Intensive Restore Night Cream is designed for mature skin that needs a deeper dose of plumping power and cellular rejuvenation.

Q: How much should I use?
A: These creams are mega concentrated so you only need to apply a thin layer each use.

Q: Why does my night cream feel slightly runny?
A: Atopis night creams contain sphingolipids and phospholipids, which give them a serum-like textural quality and allow them to be deeply absorbed into your skin cells. This is where the magic happens! Our creams are also enriched with ceramides which are lipids (fats) and contribute to the cream’s slightly runny texture.

Q: Can I use the night creams with my other Atopis skincare?
A: Yes, they’re designed to work in synergy with other Atopis products. So if for example, you’re using our Rosehip Renewal Face Oil or Acne Prone Skin Cream, simply massage in your oil or cream first, then apply your night cream over the top. Remember to just use just a small amount of rosehip oil each time to prevent it from drying out your skin. And always remember to wear a SPF50+ sunscreen – even on cloudy days!

Q: Do the night creams contain retinol?
A: Yes! We’ve used the highest quality pure form of retinol in synergy with our patented ingredient Myrecil®. The two ingredients work together to enhance and strengthen each other – boosting collagen and hyaluronic acid in the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles and softening skin. They’re all-natural ingredients with no nasty side effects. These creams are very concentrated, so just use a thin layer each time.

Q: Will the night cream help with my pigmentation?
A: Yes! Atopis Night Creams contain the highest grade of German Vitamin C to help banish age spots, pigmentation and uneven skin tone.

They also contain seaweed gel (which gives them their gel-like feel), which helps to lock in vital moisture and powerfully hydrate ageing skin. We harvest the seaweed, extract the gel and combine it with ceramides and phospholipids to create a lipid gel matrix. Similar to aloe vera gel, seaweed gel has incredible healing properties, targeting skin in need of intense nourishment and repair 🍃 For normal skin this seaweed matrix gel is non-comedogenic and ensures your skin remains supple and hydrated.

Q: Do I need to use a serum as well as my Atopis night cream?
A: No! Just the one night cream is all you need. All of the big anti-ageing ingredients (think ceramides, Vitamin C, Myrecil® and hyaluronic acid) are combined in the one night cream for ultimate skin repair, hydration and rejuvenation at the cellular level.

Q: What’s the fragrance of Atopis night creams?
A: The lovely aroma you can smell is the combination of the creams’ natural ingredients. We haven’t used much natural fragrance (only a teeny, tiny amount) as the product itself has its own unique aroma.

Q: Can I use Atopis night creams during pregnancy?

A: Atopis Night Creams contain high quality retinol. Although there is no scientific evidence to date that shows that topical retinol is unsafe during pregnancy, we would urge you to err on the side of caution and use another Atopis product instead. Oral retinols are not considered safe during pregnancy.

Please note: The foundational ingredient Myrecil® in Atopis creams has been fully tested and proven safe in two clinical trials focused on safety and efficacy, and is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

My skincare journey: Tackling cystic acne

Monday, May 10th, 2021

“I tried everything to treat my cystic acne. Nothing worked. But I’m glad I didn’t give up.”

We received this heartfelt message from a customer who achieved incredible skin results from using Atopis Acne Prone Skin Cream. Her message and before and after photos are shown below:

“I can’t tell you how miserable I was in the before photos. I feel the after photos don’t do justice to how much better my skin is, especially the texture. The before photos were taken in July 2019 and I have been using Atopis products since then. I’ve never had any treatments or Botox etc, I am 50 years old and although these are the most unflattering photos, most people cannot believe I’m 50. Not bad for enduring 40 years of cystic acne. Thank you for your work to develop this skincare!”

Atopis founder Dr Iona Weir talked to US-based dermatologist Dr Nico Mousdicas about some of the key contributors to cystic acne and rosacea. Here’s what he had to say:

“When I see cases of acne I always look for precipitating or aggravating factors. If the patient is female, I ask if she is experiencing worsening of symptoms prior to her menstrual cycle. The second half of the menstrual cycle causes a surge of progesterone and that is known to have androgenic properties.

I ask about if they take any over-the-counter (OTC) oral medications as there is a long list of reported worsening of acne from iodides, bromides, Vitamin B12 and other ingredients.

I ask about their milk consumption as the whey protein in milk stimulates insulin like growth factor 1, which increases testosterone. Chocolate is also a known aggravator in some patients!

Even if a patient is slim, I would try temporarily removing insulin from the diet (or recommend a carbohydrate-restricted diet) to make sure we are not dealing with insulin resistance. Gut health is reflected in our skin and cutting out gluten may help some people as this causes leaky gut, as shown by Professor Alessio Fasano, not only in celiacs but in many other people.

I would ask about mood; if they are stressed, depressed, what their sleep patterns are like and if they do any activities to relieve stress, as these factors all have a major role to play in inflammatory skin disorders. Stress stimulates ACTH which has stimulating effects on the melanocytes and can be a cause of melasma (dark patches on the skin). There is now talk that visible light from too much exposure to electronic screens can also precipitate melasma. An option to consider is using a physical sunblock and placing blue light screen on devices or having the light emitted reduced.

Incorporating holistic lifestyle changes is also really important for good skin!”

Dr Nico Mousdicas, Dermatologist.

My incredible skin transformation, thanks to Atopis

Saturday, June 13th, 2020

Victoria Gamage shares the story of how she regained her skin confidence, by banishing her acne.

“I didn’t get acne until much later in life than many others I know. When I was a teenager I didn’t have any acne. My skin was clear, except for one or two spots on rare occasions. It wasn’t until I was pregnant with my son at age 23 that acne started to show up, and even then only as little spots around my nose, mouth and chin. As I went through pregnancy and birth with the hormonal rollercoaster of changes that are part and parcel of motherhood, the acne got worse, but I felt like I could mostly manage it.

“After I had my second, a baby girl, things got much worse. From 2014, when she was one, my skin was just out of control. Acne started popping up everywhere: all around my chin, mouth and neck like an ever-growing rash of acne.

“It’s hard to describe how this made me feel. It really was simply awful and had a huge impact on how I saw myself and acted in public. It also meant I was trying to hide how I looked to avoid my acne being spotted. As a wife and young mum to two kids, I lost all my confidence. If I went out I’d always ensure I was wearing a large amount of makeup, even if I was just going down to the local dairy. When I wasn’t wearing any makeup I’d walk around with sunglasses and caps on during summer, and would walk with my head dipped downwards to ensure as little as possible of my face could be seen. In winter I’d wear hoodies and scarves folded up around my neck and chin.

“It became quite a big issue for me, and of course, stressing about it made it much worse. Around family and friends, I plastered on my big smile and would just pretend nothing was wrong. But of course they all knew how low I felt about myself. Unfortunately I turned into a squeezer and picker of spots. Since they hurt it felt better to scratch, and I didn’t realise how much damage I was doing and the lasting scaring I was causing on my face. During these years, I wouldn’t let people take my photo because I didn’t want to have pictures with my skin looking so bad. This impacted all kinds of things including photos of special events and family times. I have no photos of my skin when it was at the absolute worst point as I was too ashamed to be in photos.

“I’m not really someone who tries lots of different products. I’d always used an everyday Nivea face cream which seemed okay. From memory, I tried two other acne products, but they didn’t work. One fed the acne, making it even worse! The other brought no relief.

“In terms of diet, it didn’t really seem to matter what I did. If I ate lots of junk food the acne got much worse, but I could be eating well for months and it would perhaps just slightly improve, but the acne was still very much there. I was a bit of a stresser: I worried what I looked like to others and so this became a vicious cycle. Honestly, I just gave up on my skin during these years and resigned myself to the idea of having incurably bad skin.

“I actually heard about Atopis through my father! About three years ago he rang me and said one of his colleagues was working with a client who wanted some people to volunteer to test a new product that was supposed to help with skin issues. Dad wondered if I would like to try it for myself, as he knew how terrible I had been feeling about my skin and myself for years. I said yes, as I didn’t have anything to lose. I didn’t expect anything to happen, being the sceptic that I was.

“When the Atopis team sent me a small sample pot of their base skin cream, what has today become known as Atopis Radiant Balance Cream, I had absolutely zero hope and expectations. I thought the cream smelt nice, and realised it felt really good on my face when I applied it, but that was it. About three days later I actually looked in the mirror properly. I took notice of the fact that my skin wasn’t as red or sore, and my acne wasn’t itchy. By the end of that first week, my face felt the best it had done in years! The cracked dry acne was healing so well, and I couldn’t believe I’d had no new blemishes at all since starting to use the cream. The difference really was incredible.

“After that game-changing base cream trial, I tried the acne cream. Both made even more of a difference to my face, smoothing out my skin tone and keeping acne under control. One or two small spots came out, but since using Atopis I’ve never had anything like what I had for those terrible years, with acne all over my mouth, chin and neck. A couple of years down the track, I tried the radiant balance cream. My skin was incredibly at a point where I was happy with it!

“Although I have some scaring around my chin and mouth, I felt like a massive weight had been lifted. I could walk around with my head up, I’d look people in the eye again, and I’d smile genuinely without worrying what people would think. My confidence was back, and for me that was huge.

“This gift even gave me the confidence to apply for a new job. Working in customer service, your face is of course the first thing that people see. It was such a big shift for me to even contemplate working in a customer-facing role. Now, I’m a sales assistant at a fashion store, it’s such a rewarding job to help women to choose outfits for their daily life or a special occasion, and see the smiles on their faces when we find what they need. I’d never have thought about a job like this a few years ago, and I certainly wouldn’t have had the confidence to say “Yes” when it was offered to me!

“When my acne started getting better, so did my sleep and overall health, because my skin was less of a worry to me. My acne was and still is stress and hormone activated, and worse during my time of the month. But I can still say to this day I have not had a major acne flare up since using Atopis.

“For those suffering from acne, I’d like to emphasise that these products really have changed my life. It’s taken a HUGE anxiety and stress issue away. No matter how small or big your acne issue is, I really urge you to try Atopis: order a sample pot and just try it! For the relief it gave my skin, I’m sure one of their multiple products will be able to help you too. You’ve got everything to gain, and only bad skin to lose!

“I want to thank Dr Iona Weir and her team for creating such a wonderful effective product and continuing to improve and create skincare solutions, keeping people like me with problem skin in mind. You’ve changed my life, and I’m forever grateful.”

Three-phase Therapy for your Skin

Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019

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When we say we are natural, we are. We ensure that the plants we source are not changed but keep the original state as they were in the New Zealand forest.

Instead of using solvents, or traditional extraction methods, we use nature’s own processes to fuse bioactives together in synergy.

We dive into the unique process that brings prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics together on the skin.

Prebiotic

Just like our gut health requires good bacteria, our skin does too!

In 2006, Dr. Iona Weir patented a technology for a gut health prebiotic from kiwifruit that promoted the growth of good bacteria, whilst inhibiting the growth of bad bacteria.

What sets this science apart is that traditional prebiotics can only promote the growth of all bacteria.

This means that not only does the good bacteria grow, but also the bad bacteria is being kept alive too. When this process (in the gut) goes wrong it results in bloating. Dr Weir’s patented kiwifruit prebiotic successfully reduced IBS symptoms in clinical trials.

For Atopis, Dr. Weir took this concept further, and created another patented prebiotic that promotes the growth of the good bacteria on the skin, whilst killing the bad bacteria such as acne propionic and staphylococcus bacteria. Thus, only good bacteria can thrive.

Probiotic

It gets better; Dr. Weir encapsulated probiotic bacteria within the prebiotic so that the interior would remain dormant and stable within the cream until being applied to the skin.

The Atopis probiotic bacteria only becomes active when rubbed onto the skin, which releases them and allows them to grow and populate on the skin leaving no room for the unhealthy bacteria to stay.

This is especially vital when it comes to the health of the skin.

Postbiotic

Postbiotics were developed by testing numerous plant extracts, fermenting them and identifying their skin benefits.

They were then synergistically fused together with the prebiotic encapsulated probiotics.

Only the best postbiotics for skin repair were selected after intensive testing. Atopis postbiotics have potent anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties.

Atopis brings prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics together giving your skin our ultra three-phase therapy. Learn more about our ingredients.

Explore our range of skin care products containing patented prebiotic, probiotic and postbiotic treatments for your skin:

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Understanding The Seven Types Of Eczema

Wednesday, February 7th, 2018

All types of eczema cause itching, dryness, and redness, but some may also cause your skin to blister, “weep”, or peel. It is important to understand which type of eczema you or your loved one may have. Learning about and understanding symptoms and possible triggers can also help how to treat and manage your own or your child’s eczema.

1. Atopic dermatitis

The most common form of eczema and usually occurs in childhood. The symptoms include dryness, scaling, itching and redness. Atopic dermatitis is first and foremost a result of lack of filaggrin protein resulting in the ongoing cycle described above.

2. Contact dermatitis

Also caused by a lack of filaggrin where the skin has become sensitized to allergens and has an allergic reaction upon contact. Managing contact dermatitis is about avoiding irritants, protecting the skin barrier and reducing the immune sensitization.

3. Seborrheic dermatitis

Commonly known as dandruff is caused by an overgrowth of yeast and the cells on the scalp results in excessive shedding of the cells appearing as white flakes. However seborrheic dermatitis can also occur on the skin such as the face, arms, legs and body and can be mistaken for nappy rash. This type of eczema appears as red, itchy skin and can be so bad it burns. Infections are also common. Treatment involves the use of specific creams such as antibiotics and salicylic acid to manage the yeast overgrowth and heal the skin.

4. Neuro-dermatitis

Where a person develops a skin irritation due to scratching out of habit.

5. Dyshidrotic dermatitis

Generally caused by seasonal allergies and stress, and results in severe itching, cracking and blisters of the hands and feet. The use of oral antihistamines and cream to heal the skin is the best way to manage this form of eczema.

6. Nummular (discoid) dermatitis

This is a type of eczema that is circular and can be red and itchy but this varies. The cause remains unknown but can be triggered by an immune response to an insect bite, wound or general inflammation.

7. Stasis dermatitis

Where there has been a decline in blood flow to the legs resulting in dry itchy scaly skin. This is very common in elderly or those with vascular issues. It is critical to keep the skin moisturized to avoid cracking, blistering and the risk of infection.

Dr Iona Weir formulated Atopis’s Dry Itchy Skin cream with eczema in mind. This works for all seven types of eczema including dyshidrotic eczema. The therapy cream clears and then fortifies the skin in order to reduce flare ups. The active ingredients in the cream restore the skin’s natural microflora, and works with the immune system to reduce overreaction of the immune system to environmental triggers.

While the information given in this post is important, it is also important to note that the best way to be sure whether you or your loved one has eczema is to make an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor may refer you on to a dermatologist.

From the newsroom

Wednesday, March 1st, 2017

Atopis has launched and will stick to an online strategy
Dr. Weir will address the International Conference on Clinical and Experimental Dermatology in Chicago as key-note speaker

Atopis – Released at last

Monday, February 27th, 2017

Atopis has successfully launched in New Zealand in the first week of February 2017. From the first week of the Atopis website going live orders from across the country have been steadily coming in.

The Scientific Invention inside Atopis natural skin care

Thursday, January 1st, 1970

By Dr Iona Weir PhD
Chief Scientist and CEO
Atopis Skin Care

In my scientific research in YEAR I discovered that kiwifruit reduces cytokine IL6 in human cells.

Cytokine IL6 is the cellular transduction molecule responsible for the inflammation that causes eczema. (Weir et al., 2008).

Using the latest biochemistry technique called lipid fractionation technology, I then spent YEAR studying, testing and observing thousands of cells, and isolated and purified the component of kiwifruit pollen that reduces cytokine IL6.

I included this compound in Myriphytase, my US patented invention which goes inside all of my skin creams. (Weir US Patent No. ).

Myriphytase is scientifically proven to reduce this cytokine in the body and heal the cause of eczema from inside the cell.

After I invented Myriphytase, it was clinically trialed in both New Zealand and the USA and shown to help human skin including an increase in skin quality, a significant reduction in the severity of eczema symptoms, and a decrease in redness, itching, and scaling.

Like our other 100% natural ingredients, Myriphytase is not made up of mere plant extracts – our scientifically enhanced food grade compounds are clinically shown to benefit human skin.

Myriphytase is also scientifically proven to slow down the aging process by encouraging cell renewal, and contains antioxidants to neutralize environmental toxins.

Myriphytase regulates skin pH, tones and reduces pore size, and has an anti-inflammatory and redness reducing effect on skin.

It is an anti-inflammatory with potent antimicrobial and moisturizing properties.

Also inside Myriphytase are bioactive flavanoids, minerals, nutrients, vitamins and bee enzymes. It has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties, and acts as a prebiotic for good bacteria on your skin as well as being an emollient. It has astringent and exfoliating properties as well as unclogging pores and reducing acne breakouts.

Myriphytase includes our patented potentiated bee pollen which is non-allergenic and contains phytosterols (a group of naturally occurring compounds found in plant cell membranes) that reduce itching and inflammation.

Phytohormones (naturally occurring small organic molecules that influence physiological processes in plants) are chemical messengers that coordinate cellular activities of plants and are inside Myriphytase to promote skin cell renewal and flavanoid antioxidants protect against environmental damage and skin dehydration.

Our patented pollen is anti-microbial and antiviral and a great source of vitamins, minerals and amino acids for your skin.

Myriphytase also contains Probiotic Peptilipids™

We create our unique patented ingredient Probiotic Peptilipids™ by growing bacteria which we have isolated from the New Zealand forest.

From these bacteria we harvest proteins and enzymes. The proteins are converted to peptides and bound to lipids which to create peptilipids.

There are no bacteria present in Atopis skin care, only the bacteria’s enzymes and peptides which are scientifically shown to promote the growth of your skin’s own beneficial microflora.